Battle for places is driving Red Rose revolution

Haskell matures with every fearless performance, has shown his versatility by playing anywhere asked of him across the back row, yet a fully-fit Lewis Moody could herald his return to the replacements’ bench.

Such is the competition for places in a deep well of talent in the English back row, that the present incumbents of the No 6, 7 and 8 shirts, are constantly looking over their shoulder.

Moody and Leeds Carnegie’s Fourie were the anticipated squad opensides for this Six Nations championship, yet with both suffering injury on the eve of the tournament, it was Stade Francais’ Haskell who moved across from the blindside to occupy the No 7 jersey.

Tom Wood has emerged from nowhere to stake a claim to the No 6 shirt with an impressive debut against Wales that was made to look no fluke with further destructive and elegant performances against Italy and France.

Waiting alongside Moody and Fourie in the wings is Tom Croft, who has returned from injury, as well as Joe Worsley and Steffon Armitage, who are also to be considered before you get to the rest of the flankers looking to play a part in Martin Johnson’s Red Rose revolution.

Only Nick Easter at No 8 would appear safe of the current triumvirate that have guided England to within two wins of a first grand slam for eight years, but even he should be wary, as Haskell can just as easily slide across to fill his role, having done so in four of his 32 caps.

“Every time I pull on that white shirt I think to myself this could be the last time I play,” said Haskell, the 25-year-old Londoner.

“I know it’s a morbid thought but such is the competition among the guys with the likes of Crofty and Moodos, that for this England team now you have to put in very good performances every time to stay in that shirt.

“I tasted it in the autumn not being involved, and I didn’t like it. I’m very competitive.”

That fear of missing out on the next chapter of England’s journey to the World Cup is what drives Haskell and his team-mates to continue playing above themselves to improve their chances of staying in the team.

“If you’re worried about a bit of competition you may as well pack up and go home,” he continued.

“I’ve got to keep making sure every time I play I’m putting my hand up, we all have. That competitive spirit is what is driving this team forward.

“When I signed for Stade, a lot of guys in the England camp gave me the banter that you’re not going to play because they’ve got such a good back row with the likes of Mauro Bergamasco and Sergio Parisse. But as a player, you’ve got to put yourself in at the deep end and live and die by the sword.

“Luckily for me ,the players around me are playing really well and I’m feeding off that. It’s not about me, I’m not having personal battles with people, I’m just trying to fit into this team.

“I can show a level of consistency for my club side but when you pull that shirt on you don’t want to force things.

“That comes with time. Yes, everyone makes mistakes but it’s about being consistent, and that’s what I’ve tried to do.

“I’m 25, I feel relatively old to the rest of the guys.

“To come in like Woody has done, like Courtney Lawes has done, to keep that cool head, a good level of consistent performances, it inspires those around you but also reminds you that anything can happen. You’ve got to be on your mettle, you’ve got to deliver in international rugby, you can’t have a quiet day or an off day because people are breathing down your neck, left, right and centre.

“When you see Lewis Moody breathing down your neck and training like a lunatic, that’s motivation enough to make sure you play well.

“You see that with Floody going off and Jonny Wilkinson coming in, Youngsy off and Danny Care coming in.

“There’s a lot of quality players coming off the bench. Hendre Fourie came on against France and carried the ball for goodness know’s how many metres, so everyone’s fighting, and that’s what makes a team good.”

Fourie is the late bloomer in the England set-up.

At 31, the South Africa-born flanker may not represent England’s future but he is very much considered their present.

Since debuting against New Zealand last November, the former Rotherham Titan has gone on to win six caps, five of those from the bench, so has learned to be patient.

Fourie said: “It is frustrating on the bench, but as long as the team’s going well that’s the main thing. It’s easier coming on when things are going well than when everyone is struggling.

“It’s difficult when a team is going this well but I’ve just got to enjoy the ride where I can and contribute where I can.

“Ten minutes here or there can make a difference but it’s just great to be a part of it at the moment.”

England will name their team today.